Gemotions

Heads up in the clouds! I hummed a jaunty tune as I walked toward the coffee shop. Today was the day I'd finally meet up with Maya after she had supposedly come back from her big trip to Italy. I was practically giddy to hear all about the architecture, the food, the adventures. The stories! It was going to be brilliant.

I saw her sitting at a table, nursing a coffee. Her face was pale, and her shoulders slumped. Her eyes were red. "Maya!" I exclaimed, my voice full of life, as I bounced my way over.

She looked up at me, a flicker of something in her eyes, then looked away. "Hey," she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

"So, Italy!" I pressed, already starting to tell her about a new travel book I’d found. I felt the words catch in my throat as she shook her head, her face a picture of misery.